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Optical detecting system for article counting machine

  • US 4,680,464 A
  • Filed: 11/27/1985
  • Issued: 07/14/1987
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/27/1985
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. In a machine for counting individual articles and delivering a preselected quantity of said articles into a plurality of receptacles arranged in a rank, the machine having an endless conveyor having elongated article receiving flights adapted to receive, transport and discharge the articles into the receptacles, each article receiving flight having a plurality of spaced article receiving locations therealong, each for receiving a single article and corresponding to one of said receptacles, apparatus for detecting the presence and absence of individual articles in said article receiving flights prior to discharge, comprising:

  • (a) illuminating means for illuminating said article receiving locations with an optical beam for producing optically-detectable indications of the presence or absence of an article in one or more individual article receiving locations,(b) reflective means for displaying said optically-detectable indications,(c) optical detector means operatively associated with said reflective means for detecting said indications and for generating an electronic signal representative of said indications, and(d) processor means for processing said electronic signal and generating in response thereto a second electronic signal indicative of the presence or absence of an article in one or more individual article receiving locations.

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